Astronomical instrument



V Sept. 22, 1936.

F. H. HAGNER- ASTRONOMICAL INSTRUMENT Filed April 1s, 1934 l 5 Sheets-Sheet l Sept. 22, 1936. F. H. HAGNER ASTRONOMIGAL INSTRUMENT Filed April 18, 1954 3 Sheets-Sheetl 2 Sept. 22, 1936.

FL H. HAGNER ASTRONOMICAL INSTRUMENT Filed April 18, 1954 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Patented sept. 22,1936 j saires ori-ica ASTRONOMICAL IN STRUIVENT Frederick Hayes Hagner, San Antonio, Tex., as-

signorv to Position Finder Corporation, San Antonio, Tex., a corporation of Texas Application April 18, 1934, Serial No. 721,197

1li olai.

This invention relates to an astronomical, instrument and has for its object the production of a simple and efficient means for facilitating the `.designation of the location of a selected celestial 4ii body relative to a selected location upon the earth's surface at a given time.

Another object of this invention is the produc- `tion of a simple and eillcient device for facilitat- Iing the study of astronomy whereby a student or 5.71.0 observer may with great facility ascertain the relative position of a selected celestial body and a selected location or point upon the surfaceof the earth as depicted by a globe constituting a part of the device.

AiV further object of this invention is the production of a simple and efcient instrument or device especially constructed for the purpose of lthe study of astronomy and the relative locations of-selected celestial bodies and certain selected 20 points upon a globe representing the earth,

whereby a. student or observer may without a complicated method of calculation accurately visualize the'relative positions of va selected celestial body and a selected point or location upon the 25 'surface of the earth.

l A still further object of the invention is the production of a simple and eiiicient means for facilitating the demonstration of the relative location and path of movement of selected celestial bodies 30 with repect to the earths surface, as well as to demonstrate the-diierences in appearance of the celestial bodies at different times, such for in- 'stance as the changes which occur in the moon.

Other objects and advantages of the present 35=invention will appear throughout the following specification and claims.

Figure 1 .is a side elevation of the improved ed.- ucational or astronomical instrument, partly 40 shown in section;

Figure 2 is a top plan View of the structure shown in Figure 1, certain parts being shown in section; Figure 3 is a side elevation taken at right anglesA 4'5 to Figure 1, certain parts being shown in section;

Figurefi is a side elevation looking at the opposite side ,of the device to that as shown in Figure 3certain parts being shown in section;

Figure 5 is a top plan view of the adjustable slide carried by the moon indicating arc to facil- Iitate'the demonstration of the changes of the moon as the moon appears when viewed from 'the earth at different times;

Figure 6 is a section taken on line 6 6 of Figure 5;

Figure 7 is a section taken on line I--l of Figlire 8;

Figure 8 is a vertical sectional view through the entire device;

Figure 9 is a section taken on line 9--9 of Figure 8;

Figure 10 is a diagram illustrating one typical azimuth table, or is suitably graduated as indi-- cated clearly in Figure 2, the graduations being arranged to run from 0 at the north pole to 180 degreesv toward the south pole, on either side of the central axis of the ring I0. .This is indicated clearly in Figure 2. This azimuth ring I0 carries a pair of depending lugs or pins II which may be engaged by a suitable support. Suspended below the azimuth ring I0 is a track ring I2, which track ring I2 extends in a vertical plane,

the ring I0 extending in a horizontal plane. Thisv track ring I2 is preferably semicircular having its ends secured to the edges of the azimuth ring I0,

as shown in Figure 1, and the track ring I2 is provided upon its under face with a channel I3.

A substantially semi-circular band ring I4 is.

fitted to travel in the track ring I2 and is provided witha suitable inwardly extending rib l5 which snugly ts in the channel I3 and holds the band ring It against lateral displacement. The

I band ring I4 is graduated, -as indicated at Iii,4

upon one face from 0 to 90 degrees, the graduations extending from 0 at a point indicating the northpole, and running to 90 degrees away from the north pole. This is clearly illustrated in Figure 1. The band ring I4 may be rotated or turned within the track ring I2 and the azimuth ring I0.

' 'This band ring l is provided. at one end with a.r

threaded pin or lug I8 at a point constituting the central axis and atits opposite end with a removable threaded pin I1, and these points are designated as the north pole and south pole, respectively, These threaded pins I I and I8 are designated in Figure lfwith the legends N and S to indicate the north and south pole's. The pin Il passes through an externally threaded lug I8,

as shown in Figure 8.

A 180 degree arc band 20 has its ends journaled upon the respective lug or pin I 8 at one end and at thek other end upon the lug I9, as shown in Fig.'

this arc band 28, and this sighting slide /2I is provided with a sight opening 22 which is adapted to register with a circumferentially extendin slot 23 formed in the arc band 28.

An outer arc band 24 is journaled alsoiupon the lugs I8 and I8 at its respective ends, the endsv of this arc band 24 being spaced from the ends of the arc band 28 by means of suitable spacing washers 25. This outerv arc band 24 is slotted, as

indicated at 26, to register with the slot 23. The

arc band 24 may be swung from the position shown in Figure 3 in either direction, as indicated by the arrows, or may be swung to the position shown in full lines in Figure 4 when desired. Suitable nuts 21 are threaded upon -the lugs I8 and I9 for preventing the accidental displacement of the arc bands 20' and 24 from these lugs.

The arc band 20 has graduations thereon indicated from to 80 degrees running from the center toward each end, and the arc band 24 is 'also similarly graduated, as shown in Figure 4, the last degrees at each end being left unmarked because oi the journal lugs I8 extending through the ends of the arcs 20 and 24. A sighting slide 28 is slidably mounted upon thel arc band 24 and is provided with a suitable sight -opening 29, the size and shape of the opening being controlled by a closure gate 30 `which is provided with a curved outer edge 2 I this being particularly used to permit an observer to visualize the appearance of the moon at different times, such for instance as the full, half, or quarter positions of the moon. The closure gate 30 may be slotted as indicated at 32, in which lits a suitable pin 33 to limit the sliding movement of the gate 30.

. The outer arc band 24 carries at one end a circular plate 34 which is graduated, as illustrated in Figure 3, to indicate the h'our angle, and this circular plate 34 is secured to one end of the outer arc band 24, as illustrated in Figure 8, to move with or rotate about the lug I8 asv the outer arc band 24 is swung to the right or left. A Vernier plate 35 is supported'in brushing contact with the edge oi. the circular plate 34 and is suitably graduated, the Vernier plate 35 being secured to and carried by a supporting bracket 36 riveted or otherwise secured to the outer face of the band ring I4.

A hemispherical member 4I is located within the diameter of the azimuth ring I0', as shown in Figure l, and also in Figure 2. This hemispherical member 4I constitutes one-half of a sphere or globe and is supported upon a frame 42 whichvconsists of a bowed member 42a, -to the ends of which is secured the member 4I by means 1 of the journal pin 43. Thumb nuts 43a are carried by the journal pins 43 to hold the parts together. The journal pins 43 Aare in alignment with the equatorial line or the line of the equator which is adapted to run through the central axis of the azimuth ring I0, as shown in Figure 1. The frame 42 is provided with an inwardly extending brace or crane 42h which is engaged by the pin I1, the pin also passing through the bowed member 42a an'd globe 4I as shown in4 Figure '8. This hemispherical member 4I is preferably formed of very light, transparent materialy which could be very 'easily held in place by the f-rame 42. The hemispherical member 4I may have indicated thereon the celestiai bodies sucli as the sun, moon, stars, andthe like, and also certaindegrees of latitude and longitude, and the desired .poles also markedthereon, as shown in Figure 1. I preferably employ twoof these hemispherical members, one indicating the northern hemisphere, and the other indicating Ythe southern hemisphere, and these are so mounted as to permit the hemispherical members to be removed and replaced or substitutedv one for the other depending upon Whether or not the celestial lbodies4 visible from the southern or northern hemispheres are to be observed. .These sectional hemispheres are designated 4I and 38 respectively, and may be mounted for pivotal move- `ment one within the other as shown in Figure 8, so that they may be swung open to a proper position whereby access may be had to theinterior of the hemispheres. In this way, the operator may reach thefglobe 45 with his hand and adjust the same to a desired position. When the sectional hemispheres 38 and 4I are assembled, as shown in Figure 8, the hemispheres 38 and 4I may rotate in a clockwise direction for a distance of 90 degrees.

. guide 46 and may be held in an adjusted position by means of the screw 31a. This bowed.

hanger 45 suspends the globe 41 which simulates the world, and this globe may be provided with suitable geographic outlines, as well as the outv lines to indicate the proper latitude and longitude.

The globe 41 is provided with laterally extending journal lugs 48 which are journaled in the ends of the hanger 45 so as to permit the rotation ofthe globe upon these journals. This may be done by the hand of the operator to. manually move the globe 41 to the desired position. The celestial globe 4I may be formed in two hemisphericall sections, one fitting within the other, as stated above.

If desired, a number .of different types of globes simulating the world may be employed upon which may appear certain geographical formations, certain animal-or vegetable life, or any desired designation for educational purposes and these globes maybe substituted for the globe 41 depicted in the drawings merely by springing the ends of the hanger 45 out of engagement with the lugs 48 to permit the removal of one globe and the substitution of the other.

By carefully noting Figure 8, it will be seen that the globe 41 is suspended upon the eye 31 so as to freely swing and at all times hang in a vertical suspended position.

In reading the position of a celestial body where the NauticalI Almanac gives the declination at a given date and. time, the globe 41 is set so that the city, town, or longitude and latitude is below the supporting eye 31. The band ring I4 is then moved to indicate the same latitude as on globe 41 under eye 31. The true relation of the celestial sphere to the terrestrial sphere is now obtained. Next, the index slide 2l or 28 is set for the declination as given for the body which `it is desired to demonstrate, accordingto the Nautical Almanac for the time and date, then by moving arc 28 -or 24 the exact movement of the course of that body i's shown as it would look to a person on the earth at the position set under eye 31 on the globe 41. The reading on hour angle arc a4 wm snow the time the body is directly `zontaland level position, a track ring suspended the apparatus just described, a student will locate his position upon thegearth by movingl the earth globe 41 to a'point where he may observe his own geographical location. `'I'hen by consulting the Nautical Almanac which definitely gives the relative positions of the celestial globe with respect to the position of the observer who located himself upon the globe of the world 41, the celes-` tial globe lor the-globe -38 is then properly set. The Nautical Almanac will tell the student the exact declinationv of the body which he desires to demonstrate, that is, how far it has moved in the heavens relative to the position of the observer. Then the sight 2i is adjusted upon the arc 20 at that position which is ascertained from the almanac. Thestudent may then hold the instrument in his hand and by viewing through the sight opening in the sight 2i, the position of the heavenly body with respect to the earth andthe observer on the earth will be illustrated by the observers eye, the aperture 22,

position of the celestial body being observed, and

the point on the globe as shown inthe diagrammatic Figure 10.

If he is demonstrating the moon, the slide 30 may be adjusted to visualizel quarter views of the moon.

The second arc 24 may be used` to indicate the relative positions of any two celestial bodies at the same time.. l

The position of the sun at any given time as. to dayfand hour may be obtained by consulting the Nautical Almanac which will give the proper degree or position or declination of the slide 28. In theI same manner, the relative position of any other celestial bodies may be ascertained.

If it is desired to have the student observe directly the sun, the latitude arc is set for the latitude of the place of the observer. The index slide 28 on the arc 24'which is the outer one. is then set lto the proper declination taken from the Nautical Almanac. The instrument is then pointed due north and south, and the light from the sun is.y brought through the opening in the slide 28 until it strikes the point of location of the observer indicated on the globe 41. The student may then swing the arc 24 from right to left, and indicate thepath of travel of the celestial body being observed 'from .the time it rises in the morning until it'sets in the evening.

Because of the structure illustrated, the pin I1 may be disconnected and withdrawn from the threaded lug I 9 of the ring I2, when it is desired to remove the celestial globe as will be obvious by considering Figure 8. The two sections of the hemispheres' Il and 38 may `be bodily lifted out of engagement with the ring I4 leaving only the 'azimuth ring I0, the thickened portion of the ring il and the .two arc bands 20 and 24 and the `respective parts which are carried thereby.

Having described the invention, what is claimed asnew is:

1. An astronomical instrument of the class described comprising a supportv constituting an azimuth ring' extending substantially in ahoribelow the azimuth ring across the center thereof and suspended below in a semi-circular formation, a band ring slidably mounted for circumferential sliding movement upon said track ring,

a celestial globe carried by said band ring and y rotatable with said band ring, a globe simulating the world suspended within the celestial globe, a pair of arc bands pivotally connected to said band ring at diametrically central opposite points,.

an hour angle scale operable with one of vsaid larc bands, a sighting gage slidably mounted upon each arc band, the band ring being graduated and being adjustable for moving the celestial g obe to a proper position for obtaining a proper` latitude measurement, the arcbands carried by said band ring being capable of swinging movementfrom side to side with respect to the vertical axis of the band rlng. y

2. An astronomical instrument of the class de-l scribed comprising a support constituting an azimuth ring extending substantially in a horizontal and level position, a track ring suspended below the azimuth ringA across" the center thereof and suspended belowina semicircular formation, a.

band ring slidablymounted for circumferential sliding movement upon said track ring, a celestial globe carried by said band ring and rotatable with said band ring, a globe simulating theworld suspended within the celestial globe, a pair of s arc bands pivotally connected to said band ring at diametricallycentralopposite points, an hour angle scale operable with one .of said arc bands,

a sighting gage slidably mounted upon each arc bandLthe bandring being graduated and being,`

adJustable for moving 'the celestial globe to a proper position forobtaining a proper latitude measurement, the arc bandscarried by said ring being capable of swinging movement yfrom side to side with respect to the vertical-axis of the band ring, and said band ring being formed in two 'separable sections to permit of the removal of one section and the removal of the celestial globe as well as the ilrst mentioned globe.

3. lAn astronomical instrument of the class described comprising an azimuth ring suitably graduated, a track ring suspended below the azimuth ring in semicircular formation and having`y a channel formed in its under face, a band ring slidably mounted within the channel, a celestial globe carried by said band ring for bodily movement with the band ring, an hour angle \arc shaped member pivotally secured at points marked north and south upon said band ring, a second are also pivotally secured in a similar manner to said band ring, and an index sight slidably mounted upon each arc shaped member.

4. An astronomical instrument of the class described comprising an azimuth ring suitably graduated, a track ring suspended be1ow the azimuth ring in scmicircular formation and hav-A ing achannel formed in its underface, a band ring slidably mounted within the channel, a ce lestial globe carried by said band ring for bodily movement with said band ring, an hour angle arc shaped member pivotally secured `at points marked north and south upon said band ring, a second arc-shaped member also pivotally secured in a similar manner to said band ring, an ind'ex sight slidably mounted upon each arc-shaped member, said celestial globe being formed o f a pair of intertting pivotally secured sections, one

section being movable within the other for the purpose of permitting'thg opening of the globe to allow access to the interior thereof, and a`sec ond globe simulating the world being mounted within the interior of the celestial globe.

5. An astronomical instrument of the class described comprising an azimuth ring suitably ghraduated, a track ring suspended below the azimuth ring in semicircular formation and having a channel formed in its under face, a band ring slidably mounted within the channel, a celestial globe carried by said band ring for bodily movement with the band ring, an hour angle arcshaped member pivotally secured at points marked north and south upon said band ring, a. second arc-shaped member also pivotally secured in asimilar manner to said band ring, an index sight slidably mounted upon each arc band, said celestial globe being formed of a pair of intertting pivotally secured sections, one section being movable within the other for the purpose of permitting the opening of the globe to allow access to the interior thereof, a second globe simulating the world mounted within the interior of` the celestial globe, and one of said index slides having means for visually! demonstrating the changes of the appearance of themoon as viewed from the earths surface.

6. An astronomical instrument of the class described comprising an azimuth ring adapted to extend in a level and horizontal position, a track ring suspended below the azimuth ring adapted to point north and south and arranged in a semicircular formation, a band ring slidably mounted upon said track ring and moving circumferentially thereof, a pair of semicircular arc bands pivotally secured to said band ring at the axis thereof,

a ksight index slidably mounted upon each arc band, a celestial globe carried by said band ring and movable therewith, one ofthe arc bands having means for indicating the hour angle of a celestia body, a second globe simulating the world mounted within the celestial globe, the celestial globe comprising a pair o f .intersliding sections pivotally secured together and `capable ofI opening one with respect to the other for permitting access to the interior of the celestial globe and permitting the manual adjustment of the globe simulating the world, a frame mounted withinsaid celestial globe and secured thereto, said frame being supported upon said band ring, said celestial Vglobe being suspended from said frame, a removable supporting pin carried by the band ring constituting a journal for the celestial globe and said frame and adjustable means for supglobe.

porting said second globe within the celestial thereon, a terrestrial globe suspended within said track ringl and mounted within the celestial sphere and having -a plurality of defined positionsdesignated. upon the globe, an arc-shaped member pivotally secured at the axis of said band ring, and a sight index slidably mounted upon the s last mentioned arc-shaped member for permitting a student to properly set the instrument to the proper latitude and at the proper hour angle after properly adjusting the celestial sphere at the proper azimuth reading' to visualize the point on the terrestrial globe upon which an imaginary beam of light from a selected celestial body located upon the celestial sphere may be cast at a selected time.

8. An astronomical instrument especially adapted for visible demonstration of the relative location of a celestial body with respect to the f surface of the earth, comprising an azimuth ring extending in a horizontal plane, a track ring extending in a vertical plane and suspended below the azimuth ring, a latitude arc-shaped member constituting a track ring slidably mounted upon said track ring, a celestial sphere carried by said latitude arc-shaped member and movable therewith, a terrestrial sphere carried by said celestial sphere and mounted within the celestial sphere, an arc-shaped member pivotally secured at the axis of said band ring, and a sight index slidably mounted upon the arc-shaped member for permitting a student to properly set the instrument to the proper latitude and at the proper hour angle after properly adjusting the celestial globe at the propenazimuth reading to visualize the point upon the terrestrial globe upon which a beam of light fro-m a celestial body located upon the celestial globe will be cast at a selected time, a second arc-shaped member pivotally mounted for lateral swinging movement upon the axis of said band ring, a sight index slide mounted upon said second arc shaped member and adapted to facilitate the demonstration of the relative loca-v tion of two celestial bodies with respect to a selected point of location upon the surface fof the terrestrial body.

9. An instrument of the class described comprising an azimuth scale, means upon which the relative locations of a plurality of bodies simulating heavenly bodies are indicated, means for supporting said last mentioned means for diametrical movement with respect to said azimuth scale, means simulating the earth having a plurality of defined positions indicated thereon, said last mentioned means being supported below said azimuth scale in a position whereby one of the defined positions indicating a selected position of an observer upon said last mentioned means may be brought to a position in substantially the same plane with said azimuth scale, and meansjor measuring the light angle -of an imaginary beam of light cast by a selected simulation of a heavenly body upon a selected defined position upon the means simulating the earth with respect to the eye of an observer at a selected time of the year and hour of the day.

10. An instrument ofthe class described comprising a celestialsphere' upon which the relative locations of various bodies simulating heavenly bodies are indicated, an azimuth scale adapted to be supported in a level position pointing due north and south, a globe simulating the world suspended below said azimuth scale and having fthe highest point of its circumference in substantially the same plane with the azimuth scale.

said globe having a plurality of defined positions indicated thereon, said globe being mounted for movement whereby a selected defined position may be brought to a position in substantially the same plane with the azimuth scale, and means for measuringthe angle of a beam of light cast .from a selected body simulating a heavenly body.

upon a selected defined position upon the' globe at a given time of the year and hour of the day vwithxespect to the eye of an observer.

`of selected heavenly bodies indicated thereon,

11. An astronomical instrumentof the class described comprising a globe simulating the^world and having a'plurality of dened positions designated thereon, a second globe simulating a celestial sphere locatedadjacent the first mentioned globe and having the positions of a plurality of heavenly bodies designated thereon, and' means for measuring the angle of an imaginary beam of light from a selected heavenly body designated upon the second globe ascast upon a' selected deiined position on the-ffirst globe.

12. An astronomical instrument of the class described comprising a support, a'globe simulating the world and having a plurality of defined positions designated thereon, the globe being carried by said support, a hemisphere adjustably mounted upon said support for movement relative to said globe, said hemisphere having the position of a plurality of heavenly bodies designated thereon,` and means carried by said support adjacent the hemisphere for measuring the f said hemisphere having the position of,a plurality the world carried by said support, a hemisphere adjustably mounted upon the support for movelment relative-to`the globe, said globe having a plurality of defined positions designated thereon, 15 said hemisphere having the position of a plurality of heavenly bodies indioatedfthereon, means for `measuring the ang'le ofv an imaginary beam of light from a selectedheavenly body at a giveny time as it is cast upon a selected dened position 2o upon the globe simulating the world, means for adjustably supporting the globe for rotating K movement in either of two selected directions at right angles to each other, said last mentioned means constitutinga hanger and a hanger slide, journal means formed upon the globe fitting in the ends of said hanger for supporting said globe and permitting the rotation of the globe, and

' said hanger slide supporting said hanger in sliding relation to permit of the sliding adjustment of the hanger within thel hanger slide.

. FREDERICK HAYES HAGNER. 

